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How to know that it is the right time to focus on your body?
The answer is, “When your body starts showing signs of any illness, especially the one that you would never expect.” The lack of awareness of what is going on in their bodies has become one of the problems that busy people face. Having a lot to do with their intelligence and knowledge, they seldom focus on their body. As a result, the body starts showcasing signs of being infected with viruses and struggling to fight the illness that it has long had. One of them is Human papillomavirus (HPV) and genital warts it causes.
Causes
HPV should be held responsible for one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases with the same name. People, who lead an active sexual life, become prone to it at some point in their life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is a widespread virus; however, only 1 out of 10 infected people showcase any symptoms or have genital warts (small growths, also known as venereal warts, or condylomata acuminata). The others usually never know that they are infected until they find these warts around the genitals or anus. They are sexually transmitted, meaning that any type of sexual contact – genital, anal or oral, can lead to the development of this condition. This even means that a mother can infect the baby when giving birth.
Symptoms and Localization
First and foremost, if you don’t have any symptoms, it doesn’t guarantee that you are not infected. On the other hand, you may have genital warts accompanied by no symptoms. In most cases, these warts appear in a variety of shapes and sizes. There can be only one wart, or it could have already formed a cluster by the time you discover it. They can be rough or smooth, flat or raised. Usually, the common symptoms of having warts come from warts themselves. They can itch, burn, hurt or bleed, cause redness and discomfort. Women can find these warts situated near or on their vulva, the internal surface of the vagina, the anus, and the cervix. For men, it is typical to have these warts around or on the penis, scrotum, anus, thigh, and groin.
Prevention
As you may have already guessed, the key to preventing genital warts or getting the HPV can be found in two things. The first one is getting regular STI screenings as no one, and even the doctors, can diagnose HPV if the person has no symptoms. The second thing to keep in mind is to use barrier protection, condoms, for instance. Unfortunately, they can eliminate the risk of transmission, but not completely. This means that regular check-ups, especially before you begin a new relationship, are vital.
Removal
Sometimes warts may go away themselves; nevertheless, removing them has certain benefits. It can help you smooth the pain, understand the type of warts and remove them before HPV causes cancer. (Note that people with HPV usually do not develop cancer; however, they are included in the group of increased risk). Modern healthcare offers a handful of options to get rid of warts. You need to visit a dermatologist before opting for a specific type of treatment, as over-the-counter drugs can do you a disservice.
For genital warts removal, the dermatologist usually suggests the following options:
- Cryosurgery, when the warts are frozen by applying liquid nitrogen to the infected area.
- Electrocautery, when the warts are removed by directing an electric current after putting some local anesthetic.
- Surgical removal, the surgeon removes warts herself after putting some local anesthetic.
- Laser treatment, when warts are destroyed with intensive laser light.
Taking care of your health requires a holistic approach. It is not only about what’s obvious; sometimes serious health issues can live in silence for years and show up when your body is exhausted. To prevent this from happening, make sure to have regular check-ups to tailor your care to your body needs and address any issues as soon as you notice them.